Disney World’s Memory Maker: A Cheapskate Princess Guide

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Updated for 2017!

Pictures are priceless. They capture once in a lifetime moments, and they hold our memories for future years to come. Pictures are often the very best part of a vacation, and the photo opportunities at Disney World are completely above your normal activities.

The pictures you take during your Disney vacation are some of the greatest souvenirs you can possibly bring home. Should you take your own for free or pay for a professional service?

The current PhotoPass Option from Walt Disney World is called Memory Maker. Is it worth it? What does it include?

This guide can help you determine if adding Memory Maker to your vacation package is the right way to go for your family’s next vacation.

Top Ten Reasons You Should Get Memory Maker

1. You get all the photos.

Every picture taken by a Disney photographer is yours forever.

2. Everyone can be in the photos.

Mom, Dad, Grandma, and absolutely everyone traveling with you can be in the pictures at the same time, unlike when you take your own group photos. When you think about it, lots of moms are rarely in their own family photos. With Memory Maker, everyone gets to be in all the pictures throughout the entire trip.

3. Separation still means photos.

If your party splits up for different parts of the parks, or even completely different parks at the same time, all the pictures taken are included. Simply make sure that after every picture is taken, someone’s Magic Band is scanned.

4. You get attraction photos.

Some of the greatest picture opportunities at Disney World are of you riding the attractions, and unless that’s a selfie, you won’t be able to take it. With Memory Maker, you get photos of you and your family riding all rides where photos are taken automatically, and this process couldn’t be any easier.

If Memory Maker is linked to a Magic Band, these photos are automatically loaded onto your account. If Memory Maker is not linked to a Magic Band, just stop by the photo desk at the end of of each ride to make sure the photo is added to your account.

5. You get dining photos.

Certain restaurants have photo opportunities that will be added to Memory Maker. The photos might be of your whole family as you enter the restaurant, or they might be of character interactions during the dining experience.

6. You get candid photos.

Special activities like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo and Pirates League have Disney Photographers that take incredibly magical pictures. These are extra special, because the photographers know all the best moments to capture. With Memory Maker, you can relax and enjoy watching your child’s experience while someone else takes great pictures.

7. You get ride videos.

Disney has started offering ride videos on select attractions. Just like with photos, if your Memory Maker is linked to a Magic Band, your ride video will automatically be loaded on your account.

8. You can share the cost.

Memory Maker can be shared by multiple families traveling together. If you are all linked into My Disney Experience, everyone in the traveling party can share Memory Maker. Why not split the cost to save money?!

9 You get extra pixie dust.

Disney photographers have the ability to add lots of magic to your photos. Sometimes they use their creative experience to pose you and the kids in certain positions you’d never think of. Sometimes they add Disney characters into your pictures.

Let a Cast member know if you are celebrating a special moment, like a honeymoon or engagement, because they’ll definitely add some magic into your photos.

10. You own the pictures forever.

You’ll receive a copyright release from Disney which allows downloads of all your pictures, giving you the ability to forever print them whenever you want.

Purchasing Memory Maker Before Your Vacation

The simplest way to purchase Memory Maker is to ask your travel agent to add it to your vacation package. Mike Ellis, our Disney Vacation Planner with Pixie Vacations, would be happy to do this for you.

You can also go to your My Disney Experience account and purchase it directly from there, which automatically adds it to your account. Select Memory Maker from the menu or go directly here: Memory Maker

Purchasing Memory Maker At Disney World

You can add Memory Maker at any of the parks, at one of the camera centers or at the front desk of your resort. Just remember, if you wait until you arrive in Orlando, the price is higher than if you purchase it in advance.

Memory Maker Tips

You can typically view your pictures within 24 hours of the photo being taken. I’ve seen photos appear within the hour while some take longer. Videos can also take a bit longer. If you are not seeing your photos after a day or so, just ask for help from guest services either in the parks or at the resorts.

You can view and download your photos from MyDisneyPhotopass.com. Through this link, you can add any PhotoPass cards you collected during your trip. (For example, you will get a PhotoPass card at Enchanted Tales with Belle)

Make sure you download your photos as soon as you get home. Once the download time expires, your pictures are gone forever.

Should you Purchase Memory Maker?

Cast Members will always take photos for you, in almost all locations. This is free, and I love free!

But there are trips where paying $150 for pictures, assuming you get the pre-purchase price, is worth the extra money.

For large groups traveling in different directions at different times, it’s worth it.

If keeping up with your child and making your ADR and FastPass+ reservations on time are your number on priorities, let professionals take your photos. Memory Maker gives you the opportunity to put your camera down, look around and enjoy your vacation!

Here’s the real question about value for the service. How many days are you spending in the parks? If you will spend one or two days at Disney World, the cost of Memory Maker might not be worth it for you. There just may not be enough time to get the volume of pictures to make the cost of Memory Maker a financially sound investment